Committed.

As a senior woman litigator and the former managing partner of the Newport Beach office, I have a vested interest in issues affecting women lawyers, both within Irell and in the broader legal community.

Women at Irell

Irell & Manella LLP is committed to attracting and promoting women attorneys by creating an open, professional environment in which they can thrive based on merit and creativity. Irell's women attorneys play an integral role in the firm's leadership, including serving as the former managing partner of the Newport Beach office and as practice group chairs; they also serve as members of the firm's Executive Committee.

The firm's lawyers have long been committed to promoting the advancement of women in the law and other professions. Immediate past Newport Beach managing partner Andra B. Greene, for example, has authored an array of publications and has spoken extensively on the topic. She co-edited the book, "The Woman Advocate," published by the American Bar Association, for which she contributed a chapter entitled, "The Litigating Mom." Jane Shay Wald, head of the firm's trademark practice, was recently named a "Woman of Achievement" by the Century City Chamber of Commerce and the Chambers Women's Business Council for her professional dedication, charitable involvement and commitment to excellence.

Irell is a member of Catalyst, a leading nonprofit membership organization working globally with businesses and the professions to build inclusive workplaces and expand opportunities for women at work.

"Irell & Manella has long had a culture of diversity where lawyers thrive and advance based solely on merit and irrespective of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. We are proud of the fact that our partners and associates – men and women – have been recognized among the very best lawyers in the country. In keeping with that culture and tradition, I and the firm have made it a priority to ensure that Irell’s women attorneys have the tools and support necessary to maximize their potential as outstanding lawyers and become leaders at the firm, in the profession and in the community." Andrei Iancu, Managing Partner

Work/Life Resources

Irell offers a number of resources to help its attorneys achieve a successful work/life balance. For more specifics regarding our benefits package, please click here.

WLALA/LACBA Call to Action

Irell has signed the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA)/Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA) Call to Action, which reinforces our commitment to implement various initiatives to attract, retain, and advance women lawyers. Signatory law firms also agree to participate in a newly-created Coalition which will work with the WLALA/LACBA Joint Task Force to provide a forum for continued collaboration and cross-firm sharing of measurements of success of women’s initiatives, and a formal network of firm leaders (including associates) with a continuing commitment to advancing and retaining women lawyers. For additional information about the Call to Action, please click here.

Judiciary Appointments

A number of Irell's women attorneys have left the firm to serve as judges. Most recently, Governor Jerry Brown appointed former Irell partners, Laura A. Seigle and Melissa R. McCormick to judgeships in the Los Angeles County Superior Court and Orange County Superior Court, respectively. Previously, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed former Irell partner, Christine Byrd to a judgeship in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit also appointed Sheri Bluebond as a Federal Bankruptcy Court Judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California. Other former Irell women lawyers appointed to judgeships include:

Louise LaMothe, United States Magistrate Judge, United States District Court for the Central District of California

Dorothy Kim, Judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court

Gail Standish, United States Magistrate Judge, United States District Court for the Central District of California

Nicole Bershon, Judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court

Professional Development/Mentoring

In addition to the training and speaker events throughout the year, Irell's Women's Network sponsors internal events on topics relating to developing women attorneys. The Network also hosts regular happy hours for women associates and partners in both offices. Every woman associate participates in the firm's robust mentoring programs.

Community Involvement

With the firm's support and encouragement, Irell's women attorneys are or have been actively involved in various organizations in the legal and greater community, including: